Tree trimming splinters Welcome community

A tree grows in Welcome, but it may not have all its limbs. Residents in this area of Davidson County are upset with the tree-trimming methods used by Duke Power in the past weeks.

BY SHARON MYERSThe Dispatch

A tree grows in Welcome, but it may not have all its limbs. Residents in this area of Davidson County are upset with the tree-trimming methods used by Duke Power in the past weeks while a contractor performs right-of-way maintenance on power lines."I understand that the utility company needs to make sure its lines are clear, but why do they have to butcher the trees?" asked Judy Wimmer, who lives on Welcome-Bethesda Road.She says that the problem started three weeks ago when Asplundh Tree Co., which is contracted through Duke Energy, started trimming tree limbs that were located near power lines in Welcome. Since that time, many homeowners have voiced their outrage at the condition of the trees after they were finished. "It was such a beautiful area, but now the trees look just pitiful," Wimmer said.Peter Brooks, a Duke Energy spokesman, said the number one reason for power outages is vegetation coming into contact with utility lines, and that routine maintenance is the best way to prevent problems in the future. "We are removing tree limbs that have a potential to damage lines," Brooks said. "We are cutting to the national standard and using directional cutting to ensure when the limbs grow back that they will grow away from the lines in the future."Some homeowners in the area complain that the limb trimming has gone beyond routine maintenance and has caused them to incur costs to fix the damage. Mandy Gage, who owns Mandy's Perfect Impressions on Old U.S. Highway 52, says not only did the tree trimmers damage her trees, but they hindered her business as well."The first day they blocked the entrance to my business, and my clients couldn't get in here," Gage said. "Next they left limbs in the parking lot and across my driveway for two days."She said Asplundh employees cut the limbs off the trees on her property so severely that she is going to have to have the tree removed. "They cut the top and one whole side off my tree," Gage said. "I asked them to go ahead and take it down, but they said they didn't have time. So now I have to pay to have someone come and take it down. All I have is a bunch of tree stumps on my property." Local tree expert and arborist Junior Farmer from Farmer Tree Service said that depending on the type of tree and the way the limbs were removed a tree could be permanently effected."If it's not cut right, removing a limb can allow insects and disease to damage a tree," Farmer said. "Ethically they should make sure they are doing it the right way so not to cause problems and create added cost for the homeowner."Farmer says that he has received several calls over the past week from homeowners who want him to come and repair issues caused by the maintenance work commissioned by Duke Power. Brooks says that Duke Energy places door hangers on the residences before tree trimmers begin work in an area and that anyone who has problems caused by the vegetation management should call their customer service number. "We are here to work with customers and encourage them to call if they have specific issues," Brooks said.He added that most of the limbs that were removed should grow back."In some cases the trees may not look fantastic right now, but they should eventually grow back away from the power lines," Brooks said.Most homeowners and businesses are not upset that the company decided to trim the trees in Welcome, it is that they seemed unconcerned with the aesthetic appearances of their community, and they have to dispose of debris left behind."They could have talked to the homeowners and given them an option to cut the limbs themselves," Wimmer said. "That way they could have had the opportunity to keep their trees."Gage said she wished Asplundh employees would have been more willing to listen to the concerns of property owners."When I asked them to remove some of the limbs that were left hanging on the line, they told me it wasn't their problem because it was a cable line, not a power line," Gage said. "I had to get my husband to fix their mess plus I have to pay to get a tree they damaged removed. It's not fair to do this to their customers."For more information about Duke power vegetation management practices or to contact its customer service about issues concerning the recent work in the area, visit www.duke-energy.com/safety/right-of-way-management/pec-vegetation-management.asp.Sharon Myers can be reached at 249-3981, ext, 228 or at sharon.myers@the-dispatch.com.